Sick Of Winter - Plan A Garden!
One of the best ways to survive dreary March weather, is to plan a garden. If you start now, you'll have plenty of time to design it just the way you want it, and much of the work can be completed in stages.
Just like with any project, if you lay a solid foundation, you eliminate problems along the way. The following information will guide you through the process of creating your ideal garden, from start to finish:
1. Design: Just like you shouldn't build a house without plans, you shouldn't build a garden without some sort of design in place. Before that shovel pierces the earth, you need to know where your going to dig, and what the shape of the garden will be.
While you're creating your design, look for opportunities, such as, open spaces that could benefit from being broken up, entrances or edging. While you're in a creative mode, get your thoughts down on paper by creating a garden design or plan. Best to enlarge a site plan of your property and work from there.
2. Location: Mark out your garden with rope or garden hose and edge with flour or sand. Keep your shape curved and flowing, and try to stay away from square, linear patterns. When you're finished, stand back and view it from a few angles, including the road.
3. Get Down to the Dirt: Most new gardens have some sort of grass or vegetation that needs to be removed. If you have time on your side, this method will get you instant top soil, for the least amount of work. Once you've marked out your area, spread out a thick layer of newspaper over the surface and cover with compost or top soil. Then leave for at least 6 weeks. The absence of sun, will kill off any grass or weeds and the worms will love the newspaper, creating lots of healthy fertilizer for your garden.
If you don't have the luxury of time, then get out your spade and start digging up the grass. Also, remove any rocks or debris, add compost (mushroom compost works great) and work the earth. A rototiller works great for this stage.
4. Mark Your Territory: Define the edges of your garden to keep grass from creeping in. Dig a trench about 8 inches around the entire area, or insert black edging or similar product. You could also apply about 1 1/2 feet of landscape fabric and cover with river rock to make a rock border.
Now would also be the time to add flexible pipe for an automatic sprinkler system, if you so choose.
5. Plants: Some of your plant selection can be decided when you go shopping, but you need to know what conditions you're planting for. If you have a shady area, a slope, or a sunny spot, the type of flowers and shrubs you choose is vital. As a young gardener, I planted two flats of Impatients in the direct sun, and needless to say, about three weeks later, I was digging up my bed. When selecting plants, consider, color, texture, and size once mature. You may also want a combination of perennials and annuals to fill in for constant colour.
Before setting your flowers in place, now would be the time to cover the area with landscape fabric. This is personal preference; some swear by it, others would rather skip this step.
Don't be too quick to plant your flowers. Simply place them in your garden, and move them around until you get just the look and spacing you want.
6. Mulch: Once flowers and shrubs are planted, then spread at least 2 inches of mulch over the entire surface. Once that summer drought hits, you'll be so glad you did. Mulch not only helps to retain moisture, but keeps the weeds down and adds nutrients to the soil.
7. Make sure you have a chair nearby because once everything is in bloom, you'll want to sit back and enjoy.
8. Water Well: The first watering is important, not only for your plants, but for the mulch as well. It tends to soak up much of the water, so take a little time to ensure your delicate flowers are getting all the water they need.
To Your Real Estate Success!
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Last updated on: 2012-05-17 00:22:34
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